I made a poster for Uncensored Celebration, an art show benefit for the ACLU of Oregon celebrating free expression and social justice. Local artists were call to design a poster around the main fights that ACLU of Oregon is having right now. I decided to focus on immigrants rights and the NO TO MEASURE 1O5 which will be in the ballot next November election and it’s trying to remove Oregon from being a Sanctuary State.

The all process of making the poster was a great experience for me. Attending some meetings at ACLU with other artists and learning about their work. Meeting other artists that want to help with their work to inspire change and work towards social justice. The making of the poster. I’m very happy with it. Sadly I couldn’t use the colors I had on mind so the poster turned a bit saturated.

The exhibition will be host at Lagunitas Community Room on October 4th. Posters will be for sale and artists in attendance. $15 tickets include two drinks and tacos. Please support this event and the work of ACLU. Buy tickets here!

Probably you all know that on Friday the 13th tattoo shops have special deals on little flash tattoos. Here is mine: $31 for line tattoos and $50 for color on these specific designs (picture above). The designs are around 2″ inches big.

I’ll be at the shop from noon to 7pm, first come first serve basis.

The designs will be available at regular prices after the Friday the 13th event.

Write me an email if you have any questions: virmarting@gmail.com. (I’ll be busy tattooing tomorrow so don’t except me to answer back then, but I’ll if you write to me before).

Wilderness: A wild and natural large tract of land that has not been significantly affected by human activities.

This summer I decided to come closer to wilderness. I have lived in Portland for the last 10 years, working inside for the last 5 years or more and even if I always kept a close relationship with the outside, cultivating a garden, going camping once a year and visiting close friends at their farm I felt that I needed more. I want to be closer to nature and contemplate it. My husband and I decided to commit to a weekly day hike. Trying to explore new paths and see what’s around. We are so privileged living in the Pacific North West! In an hour and a half drive you can be appreciating a the sounds of the wind and the trees or a river or birds. You can appreciate silence. I find myself recognizing native plants, flowers, mushrooms and trees and if I’m lucky I can see a bird or a creature. (Luckily I didn’t run into any bear or mountain lion! but I saw an owl, the one on the picture).

I want to do tattoos inspired in wilderness and wildlife this coming months. I want to hear from you and your connection with this.

I’ll be offering a 15% off on wilderness and wildlife inspired design till the end of the summer. Contact me for an appointment.

I made this series of inks for Strange Dreams collective show, I’ll have a couple more inks from older collections and tote bags for sale. I decided to donate 30% of the sales on this show to Voz Workers Center .

Friday 30th from 6pm to 10 pm, 721 NW 9th Ave suite 200 (Ecotrust building), Portland OR. Come have a beer, some tasty snacks, listen to some music and dance if you feel like it. The work of over 20 artist will be on the space.

Strange Dreams brings together a new collective of Portland artists showing work sparked by the confusion, anger, and surrealness of the current political climate. Perhaps you felt like you stepped into a warped reality on Election Day or Inauguration Day. Whatever the case, we are all collectively living in the same strange dream. Come grab a beer, have some tasty food, enjoy some tunes, and make your way through the beautiful space with pieces that reflect the times.

$5-10 suggested donation at the door.

Each artist will give a portion of their proceeds to an organization of their choice.

I’ll be tattooing these designs to fundraise money for Standing Rock Camps. Water protectors are fighting peacefully to protect their sacred places and the water from Missouri river. It’s a history of Native Americans standing against the construction of pipe lines. This might be one of their biggest fights and they need help and support.
I work at DVC Tattoo and they support this by not taking any commission of the tattoos which allows me to offer them at a very affordable price. Designs are from $40 to $100 and all the money will be send to the camps.
I’ll be tattooing them starting on Friday the 25th and every Thursday till December 15th. I will appreciate it if you schedule an appointment for this by email virmarting@gmail.com or by phone 503.719.2479. (If these days don’t work well for you we can try to find a better time).
Please spread the word about this.